The example the Church presents to women is that of the Virgin Mary as the ideal mother. Religious artistic expressions also depict this image. Through the Church and art, Mary is presented as embodying service, chastity, and the acceptance of suffering.
The view of Mary changes over time. This is related to the changing context, in which science and education play important roles. For example, the view of Mary as a role model in the Middle Ages differs from that in the 21st century.
In the Middle Ages, the ability of women to endure was of importance. Medical science was not yet at a high level, compared to that of the 21st century. As a result, mothers suffered more pain and sorrow during pregnancy and childbirth.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, Mary increasingly takes on the role model of a strong woman who remains standing despite considerable setbacks. She is also an example for many women and men on how to face life with and without a partner, and with and without children.
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